Police Reform

Chicago police officers surround Dexter Reed's SUV.

Dexter Reed was shot 13 times in deadly gunfight with Chicago police, autopsy shows

The oversight agency investigating the shooting has reported that four officers fired nearly 100 rounds at Reed after he shot another officer in the wrist March 21 in the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street.

By Tom Schuba

Dexter Reed’s mother Nicole Banks stands outside the 11th District police station in Chicago as supporters stand on each side, with one holding a sign demanding justice for Reed.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Dexter Reed's family files federal civil rights lawsuit over his killing by Chicago police

The lawsuit accuses Chicago police of promoting “brutally violent, militarized policing tactics,” and argues the five officers who stopped Reed “created an environment that directly resulted in his death.”

By Mary Norkol, Andy Grimm, and 1 more

Chicago Police graduation at McCormick Place. Chicago Police shoulder patch.

Police Reform

Chicago police union files notice of appeal in case that would open serious discipline cases to the public

A judge has affirmed officers’ right to have an arbitrator decide their fate in serious cases, but has also said those hearings should be open because of the public interest in misconduct by police.

By Andy Grimm

Miracle Boyd, wearing a pink shirt and green headband, gives public comment while standing at a lectern microphone during a Chicago Police Board meeting at CPD Headquarters on April 18, 2024.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Protesters demand firing of top cop and officers who fatally shot Dexter Reed

At a rally at police headquarters, community members called for greater transparency of the investigation, a halt to the use of tactical units and an end to pretextual traffic stops.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Dexter Reed Shooting

In case of Dexter Reed, killed by cops in traffic stop, court filings, family detail struggle with mental health

Court documents and police records offer more details about the man killed last month in a shootout with police in Humboldt Park.

By Tom Schuba and Rosemary Sobol

Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg speaks at a City Club of Chicago luncheon at Maggiano’s Banquets last November.

City Hall

Chicago's watchdog moves to fire police supervisor who lied about sex assault probe of fellow cop

Details of the case were included in a report published by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg’s office, which details serious misconduct investigations involving city workers, one of several that found evidence of apparent police cover-ups.

By Tom Schuba

Law enforcement unleashes a stream of pepper spray at protesters on State near Lake in the Loop as thousands in Chicago joined national outrage over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

City Hall

City Council committee OKs $750K settlement stemming from George Floyd protest

Ald. Brendan Reilly said he’s concerned paying a settlement to Bryan Mejia, who suffered a fractured leg and torn ACL, will invite protesters expected for the Democratic National Convention to wreak havoc, then bombard the city with lawsuits.

By Fran Spielman

Chicago police officers create a wall with their bodies blocking West Harrison Street during a during a protest over the fatal shooting of Dexter Reed in an exchange of gunfire back in March, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Dexter Reed Shooting

Chicago police officers involved in Dexter Reed shooting have been named in past complaints tied to traffic stops

The shooting happened in the West Side’s Harrison District, where there are more police traffic stops than anywhere else in the city.

By Andy Grimm

Chicago police officers confront Dexter Reed after pulling over his SUV in Humboldt Park last month.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Dexter Reed killing exposes struggle over how Chicago investigates police shootings

The way those investigations are now done in Chicago raises questions about whether it complies with a 2016 law. The idea of having the State Police do them was originally recommended to then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2020.

By Frank Main and Tom Schuba

Dexter Reed Shooting

11th Police District Council calls for restraint in community following release of Dexter Reed footage

At the 11th Police District Council monthly meeting, activists and community members reiterate calls for the officers who shot Dexter Reed during a traffic stop in Humboldt Park to be dismissed. A COPA member was a no-show.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Chicago police officers at fatal traffic stop in Humboldt Park last month.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Killing of Dexter Reed raises questions about Chicago police reform. ‘The message is, go in guns blazing.’

Alexandra Block, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said the Chicago police department’s approach to reform has amounted to “a box-checking exercise,” and the promises of overhauling the culture haven’t been kept.

By Tom Schuba and Frank Main

Dexter Reed Shooting

Dexter Reed's brother arrested at protests after police shooting footage released

Julius Reed, 24, the brother of Dexter Reed who was fatally shot at a traffic stop by Chicago police last month, was charged with misdemeanor battery and resisting arrest.

By Mary Norkol and Cindy Hernandez

Porscha Banks holds a large sign with photos of her brother Dexter Reed and stands amid numerous protestors holdig signs demanding justice for him, with a clear blue sky in the background.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Clashes break out at protest on West Side after release of Dexter Reed shooting footage

Family and community activists called for the firing of officers who shot and killed Dexter Reed. Two people were injured as protesters clashed and blocked an intersection outside a police station.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Screenshot 2024-04-09 at 10.28.02 AM.png

Dexter Reed Shooting

Watchdog chief questions whether Chicago cops lied about why they stopped Dexter Reed before killing him in exchange of gunfire

COPA Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten raised “grave concerns” about the officers in a letter to Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling last week.

By Tom Schuba, Frank Main, and 3 more

Dexter Reed Shooting

Chicago officials to release video showing fatal police shooting in Humboldt Park

An exchange of gunfire during a traffic stop last month killed the driver and wounded one of the several Chicago police officers involved in the gunfight.

By Tom Schuba and Frank Main

Chicago Police Officer Celal Cenker Surgit greets dogs while wearing his Chicago police uniform.

Police Reform

'I don’t know how I can live without him': Chicago cop who died by suicide was devoted family man

Before coming to the U.S., Celal Surgit played goalie for a pro soccer team in his native Turkey and built an import-export business in Russia.

By Tom Schuba

Dexter Reed Shooting

Basketball coaches remember man killed in shootout with Chicago police: 'He let you know he had your back'

Dexter Reed, 26, was fatally shot after a shootout that wounded a Chicago police officer Thursday evening in Humboldt Park.

By Mohammad Samra

Screenshot from Google Maps of the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street in Chicago.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Chicago police officer hurt, man killed in gunfire exchange in Humboldt Park

Dexter Reed, 26, was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital Thursday evening. The wounded officer was rushed to Stroger Hospital in good condition.

By Kade Heather and Tom Schuba

City Hall

Chicago cops facing serious discipline can take cases to arbitrator, but judge says hearings should be public

“The restriction of public access to arbitrations for serious police discipline is in direct contravention to the well-defined and dominant public policy of accountability and transparency of the government services in general and the Chicago Police Department specifically,” Judge Michael Mullen wrote Thursday.

By Tom Schuba and Fran Spielman

City Hall

Judge tosses sexual harassment lawsuit against former top cop in Chicago, says evidence fell short

“The unfortunate reality is that relationships between supervisors and subordinates can be fraught,” U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo wrote. “It may well be that Donald in fact did not want or enjoy her relationship with Johnson. The problem is one of proof.”

By Jon Seidel